I have a handful of arcade cabs at the crib and I want to add one or two pins to the mix over the next year. Here are my parameters....

Budget - 1500.00 or less apiece. Would I pay more than 1500? Maybe, but definitely looking to keep each purchase below 2k. I am not looking for a project. Looking for a complete and working pin in slightly above-average players condition.....maybe a pin with some board bulletproofing already done.

Era - only interested in solid-state, generally 1978-82 era. If it happens to be a model/manufacturer that can be bulletproofed with something like a Rottendog combo board, so much the better.

Features - I want both to be talkers and at least one to have a multi-ball feature. I like speech. I will admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for Gorgar in this regard and I am actively looking for one of those as we speak. I understand that Gorgar gameplay is pretty basic but I like the idea of owning the first pin with speech. I also like the artwork and I can find a pretty nice one in my price range as well.

I think a Gorgar/Firepower combo wouldnt be a bad 1-2 punch for a new guy. Vector has a lot happening on the playfield and looks intriguing as well. I am not a super-nerd just yet, so I don’t necessarily need a ridiculously deep rule set but I would like at least one of the pins to be faster and a bit more in-depth than Gorgar, for example.

I am sure you guys can take this information and make some suggestions that I had not even considered. Thanks for the input in advance.

Carter - Virginia

Man, you guys are on point and quick. I can dig it. To clarify, the years I listed were a best guess based on budget mainly. As I mentioned, I have a real predilection for speech, and I want to find an above-average example with multi-ball for around 1500.00.

I have also fallen victim to listing some titles that I have actually played a little bit or at least have seen either in the wild or for sale with some basic frequency on different mediums. Alien Poker was mentioned in this thread and I am aware that pin gets high marks on most solid-state lists but I have never even seen one in person.

There happens to be someone local selling a Paragon as we speak. There has also been a Vector and an Elektra for sale recently in my general area. A really nice looking Gorgar just sold on here a few days ago and I am kicking myself for not jumping. This price range moves quickly.

Man, there was a Space Shuttle for sale locally too in the last week or two...I have never played it so I didn’t investigate. Might have to see if that is still around....seems to be getting some love on this thread.